Hal Hackady

Who is Hal Hackady?

Hal Hackady is an American lyricist, librettist, and screenwriter.

Hackady began his career writing teleplays for early anthology series General Electric Theater and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He graduated to feature films as the screenwriter of B-movies capitalizing on the rock and roll craze, including Let's Rock, Senior Prom, and Hey, Let's Twist, which earned him a Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Written Musical.

Hackady's theatrical career began with the 1955 Broadway revue Almost Crazy starring Kay Medford, for which he wrote sketches and lyrics. Additional Broadway credits include Minnie's Boys, Goodtime Charley, Ambassador, and Teddy & Alice.

He also wrote lyrics for Divorce, of course! with Angela Paton and Robert Goldsby writing the book, and Lee Pockriss writing the music. It waa originally translated from the French play, Divorcons, by Victorien Sardou and Émile de Najac. Hackady and Pockriss also co-wrote a song called "The Key" that Billy Thornhill recorded for Wand Records in 1968.

Hackady wrote the sentimental ballad "Shake Me I Rattle", originally recorded by the Lennon Sisters in 1957. It would become a national chart record for Marion Worth in 1962-63, and return as a country music hit for Cristy Lane in 1977-78. It has been recorded a Christmas song.